In Mobile, Alabama, a 29-year-old man has admitted to the fatal killing of another man just before his trial was set to begin for the same offense.
According to AL.com, Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood announced on Tuesday, Feb. 6, that Morgan Barnhill pleaded guilty to intentional murder in the death of Etienne Murray. Jury selection had already commenced when Barnhill opted to change his plea.
Blackwood expressed relief in a statement, stating, “We are pleased that Mr. Barnhill admitted to the brutal crime for which he was indicted by a Mobile County Grand Jury. This has been extremely hard on the victim’s family, and we hope this justice provides some closure to them.”
The incident occurred on March 29, 2022, at 3:22 a.m., when officers from the Mobile Police Department responded to a potential burglary in the 4300 block of Windy Hill Circle East. It was reported that Barnhill encountered Murray attempting to enter a shed on his property and struck him over the head with a shovel.